Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

[MichaelP]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Hello BH - The decision to change out the VRO has been weighing on me but for now I'll trust the alarm system. When I get it going for the first time I'll start it with some mixed gas just to make sure its all working right.

This place is something else isn't it?

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

I like the VRO on my Johnson, I hate having to carry oil with me when I go out. The tank is topped off every year and never had a problem.

 

[Princ40]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

I think we have the same boat. Mine is a 1974 ss. I am trying to figure out if I have the skill to pull off a restoration project. I think I am going to have to keep learning from everyone. Maybe this winter. Good luck.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

I am trying to figure out if I have the skill to pull off a restoration project.

You absolutely do. One of the nice things about these boats is how easy they are to work on. You don't have to do a high dollar build either. Painted plywood and Wal-Mart seats can still make a perfectly functional and safe boat.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Everything is looking good on the restore Hoss, glad the painting is working out well for ya.

Love the salmon pics, makes me hungry when I check your thread.

My experience with VROs has been that they are one more item that can fail.

Even it they don't cause issues with the motor, it seems like we always used to manage to have a spill or leak in the line somehow and end up with a mess in the bilge.

Mixing is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned, and I'd eliminate the works as well, clear up the deck a bit in the stern.

BTW we had a '86 Johnson 90 that was nearly identical(ours was white) and it's still in running condition today even with all the long hours we put on it when I was young. Great motors

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Hey Guys, I was busy at work this week, could hardly get to the computer. Yup the by-pass is the decision. I know in a perfect world it would run forever with the oil injection. In Hoss's world, it shuts down on splash down date..

Princ40, I agree with EZ. You do have the skill to pull it off and knowing you have this resource filled with guys who've done it will calm the anxiety. You can spend a ton or spend very little and get the job done I'm certain of it now.

HA, good to hear that motor proved to be dependable for you guys. I hope like heck we have the same luck with this one. I miss being out there fishing..have you gotten out? The damn Mayflies shut everything down the past two weeks here on Erie.

Mike this place seriously made my rebuild way more enjoyable. The ability to throw a question up here and get it answered within hours is priceless. Try asking some clerk at West Marine what he thinks about your project...man it aint pretty.

Going to visit some of your threads for a bit to borrow (steal) some ideas.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Finally got the time and the weather to put the second coat down today. I'm putting the third and final coat on tomorrow. Man I can't wait to flip this back on the trailer. Cleaned the garage out completely so I can put it in and work on it even if the weather gets ugly. I've seen as a general rule I should wait a week before putting it back on the trailer so painfully I'm going to wait. What about pulling the tape? I'm pulling the tape and plastic about the time the paint tacks up tomorrow.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Nice job on that paint. I pulled the tape off each coat right after I finished painting within the first half hour or so as I was cleaning up. I waited a day or two to get mine back on the trailer (even though I didn't paint the bottom) just to let the paint toughen up a little. That hardener is amazing, even though I can still smell the paint, it is very tough. I'm always surprised how long that "fresh paint" smell lingers.

Not sure I read everything right, did you put the Gluvit on the outside, and what primer did you put over it?

 

[ChasePhase]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

He gluvited inside and out.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Lakelover, I did Gluvit both inside and outside of the boat, two coats actually. I lightly sanded the Gluvit on the outer, sprayed self etching primer and rolled the Petit undercoat before putting 3 coats of Petit gloss white 3175. Finished the third and final coat today.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

So as mentioned above I'm done painting! Wow did it come out way better than I imagined. With the hardener the finish is rock solid and super high gloss. The paint will make you snow blind in the sun. Thanks for the help on this guys, Woodonglass's method and mixture was dead on! Couldn't have pulled this off without the help. The wife has become the marine painting expert here, can't even tell it was rolled on. Here's the paint curing after 3 hours...dry to the touch.

 

[sprintst]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

She a beaut man. Looks awesome with the polished alum and white paint combo.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

She a beaut man. Looks awesome with the polished alum and white paint combo.

Thanks sprintst, I can't wait to get the boat on the trailer and shark hide the sides. Just really curious how it's going look.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

You rock hoss!

 

[dozerII]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Great job BH, see you didn't need any of us to come do it for you!! I'm thinking with the bright white bottom and the blinding polished aluminum sides you may be trying to get the fish to jump into the boat, thinking they are going to a better place,lol
Glen

 

[lakelover]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Looks real good, looking forward to seeing it comleted. Great job, you're lucky to have such a talented lady assisting you!

 

[ChasePhase]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Now the hard part is waiting to flip it back over.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Big Hoss,
The boat looks FANTASTIC. I got the 2n Color Coat on "My Flamingo" this morning. I'm pretty please too! I did NOT have the benefit of a WIFE shoot it for me though. You're a lucky man!!!!! Good luck with the Flip!!!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Thanks guys, I want to get this on the trailer and in the garage so I can get it finished. The waiting will be hard on me... did you all wait a week for the paint to cure? I'm very impatient as you all know but not so much as to shoot my foot on this one. Jas, my cushions for the bow are boxed up. Tonight I'm putting a huge light in the sky in the shape of a Tide bottle. Just follow the signal.

Dozer, as happy as I am with the paint I seriously would rather you'd done it. I'm going to practice with the sprayer. Oh, the fish will be going to a better place...my deep fryer!

Lakelover, how long did you wait to flip with the Petit paint? Did it scar any when you flipped?

Chase, come help me flip it...it's only like 700 miles. Heck I promise it'll only take a few minutes.

Wood...I can't thank you enough. I painted a shelf in the garage without the mixture you suggested. It's exactly like EZ said..like a damn scratch off lottery ticket. I would have had a mess on that hull.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Lakelover, how long did you wait to flip with the Petit paint? Did it scar any when you flipped?

The last coat went on the morning of 6/21 and I flipped it to do the topside the morning of 6/25, so 4 days. Might have done it sooner, but it was raining for those days in between. No scars or marks at all when flipped, and I did it by myself. I tried to be as careful as I could about not rubbing it on the trailer, I put a big dropcloth over the wood frame where the bow area might have touched it, but all was OK. Got the bow lifted off, then the stern, sort of leaning against the wood frame. Then lifted that side up, balanced it on its side while I snuck around the stern, and lowered it down to the grass. Then I backed up the tilt trailer up to it and winched it on.